Consumer Trends
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Courtesy of McDonald's
McDonald’s chicken strips mark first permanent menu addition in 4 years
The chain needs a menu win — and a leg up on fast-growing chicken competitors — after last year’s value and LTO successes were offset by an E. Coli outbreak.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 25, 2025 -
Courtesy of Bertucci's
Bertucci’s goes bankrupt for 3rd time in 7 years
The ailing brand, which closed 7 of its 22 stores, may lean on its fast casual spinoff to weather the rising costs and waning consumer confidence hurting casual restaurants.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 25, 2025 -
Explore the Trendline➔
sam edwards via Getty Images
TrendlineMenu development
Restaurants big and small are experimenting with their menus to align with the preferences of on-the-go diners and mitigate the impact of rising food costs, supply chain disruption and shrinking consumer discretionary funds.
By Restaurant Dive staff -
Retrieved from Tri Star Energy.
How c-stores can pull loyalty from QSRs
Strong value, including meal deals and quality food, could help c-stores make inroads against fast food, says restaurant technology company Tillster.
By Jessica Loder • April 25, 2025 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Chipotle’s same-store sales wobble on economic uncertainty
The fast casual giant — a sales overperformer in 2024 — said its comparable transactions fell in what could be an early warning of anemic diner spending.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 24, 2025 -
Permission granted by Del Taco
Del Taco’s new meal boxes mirror Taco Bell deal
The value bundles — which are priced between $5 and $9 — come as the chain battles shrinking same-store sales.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 23, 2025 -
Courtesy of Zaxbys
Q&AZaxbys’ CMO on breaking through the chicken category with ‘sauce’
The chain’s first work from Goodby Silverstein & Partners introduces a brand character that speaks to both signature sauces and cool charisma.
By Chris Kelly • April 23, 2025 -
Justin Sullivan / Staff via Getty Images
How KFC’s customer listening program helps it nail the first experience
The program is designed to collect data from a range of sources, disseminate findings across the company and coordinate teams to solve customer pain points, KFC COO Rob Swain said.
By Bryan Wassel • April 22, 2025 -
Mario Tama via Getty Images
Cava is poised to outperform restaurant industry, analysts say
The Mediterranean fast casual chain is the clear segment leader, and is on course for 1,200 stores by 2033, TD Cowen estimated.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 21, 2025 -
Courtesy of KFC
KFC’s US sales fall behind Raising Cane’s, Wingstop
Sales at most American QSR chicken chains rose in 2024, but fell 4% at KFC, according to a Circana report on the 50 largest U.S. restaurant brands.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 21, 2025 -
SolStock via Getty Images
Sponsored by Alaska Seafood Marketing InstituteAlways in season: Frozen wild Alaska seafood delivers fresh taste and flexibility
Consumers seek to increase seafood consumption, and they prefer wild-caught products from Alaska.
April 21, 2025 -
kali9 via Getty Images
Circana: Restaurant traffic stalled in 2024, but diner spending rose 2%
Starbucks, McDonald’s and Burger King all had flat spending, but Circana’s David Portalatin said “flat is the new up” given current macroeconomic trends.
By Julie Littman • April 18, 2025 -
Antonio_Diaz via Getty Images
NRA: Consumers want more takeout, but lack the cash
Millennials and Gen Z consumers largely view takeout as a vital part of their lifestyles, per a National Restaurant Association report.
By Julie Littman • April 16, 2025 -
Andrew Burton via Getty Images
How Applebee’s designed its customer insights program
The restaurant chain incorporated feedback from a range of stakeholders to ensure its customer insights are actionable and readily available.
By Bryan Wassel • April 8, 2025 -
Permission granted by Shane Woolley
Starbucks and Dunkin’s competitors reap rewards as visits grow
As small coffee brands see their share of longer visits increase, legacy chains are looking to recapture their own on-premise magic.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 7, 2025 -
milorad kravic via Getty Images
Solo dining is on the rise, report finds
Younger diners like to eat alone, with 49% of millennials and 46% of Gen Z consumers preferring to do so, according to a TouchBistro report.
By Julie Littman • April 3, 2025 -
Permission granted by Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen abandons tiered loyalty for points-based program
Executives previously predicted the loyalty program would be a traffic driver, as the salad chain faces a competitive fast casual environment.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 3, 2025 -
Scott Olson via Getty Images
Why Shake Shack’s founder ties employee experience to CX
Employees won’t offer customers consistently good experiences unless they like their job and coworkers, according to Shake Shack founder Danny Meyer.
By Bryan Wassel • March 25, 2025 -
Courtesy of Brinker
The restaurant industry’s Q4 2024 winners and losers
Consumer price sensitivity has hit brands unevenly, with Applebee’s and Starbucks suffering extended traffic declines while Chili’s pumped its traffic up with a strong value offer.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 20, 2025 -
Courtesy of Jollibee
Jollibee to ramp up US growth with franchising program
With an AUV of about $4.3 million, the Filipino chicken chain’s unit economics could make it compelling for multi-unit operators.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 11, 2025 -
goldhafen via Getty Images
Gross bathroom? It can cost your customer experience
Dirty restrooms, out-of-stock paper towels and stalls with gaps can flush away an otherwise positive customer experience and send sales down the toilet.
By Kristen Doerer • March 10, 2025 -
Courtesy of Portillo's
Portillo’s launches loyalty without an app
The hot dog chain hopes its loyalty program, based in digital wallets, can offer personalized options for guests and businesses without causing app fatigue.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 4, 2025 -
Courtesy of Subway
NRA: Restaurants are prioritizing on-premise in 2025
About 80% of diners say they would eat at full-service spots if they had the cash, per the National Restaurant Association, incentivizing brands to create welcoming dining rooms.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 28, 2025 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks cuts less popular drinks, plans 30% menu reduction
Several Frappucinos, the Royal English Breakfast Latte and the White Hot Chocolate are getting the axe next month to reduce complexity and make space for experimentation.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 26, 2025 -
Courtesy of Cava
Cava’s traffic growth streak continues
CFO Tricia Tolivar attributed its sales success to a mix of factors ranging from improved in-store experience to low price increases.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 26, 2025 -
Courtesy of Just Salad
Just Salad raises $200M to boost unit growth
The salad chain, which has about 90 units and a $1 billion valuation, is looking to expand beyond its core markets.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 25, 2025
